Steven Kitshoff and Manie Libbok are again with the Springboks forward of Saturday’s Take a look at in Cape City, as DHL Western Province make adjustments to face Griquas on Friday.
Libbok made his WP debut on Sunday in opposition to the Pumas within the penultimate spherical of the 2024 Currie Cup on the Danie Craven Stadium. Fellow Bok world champion Kitshoff additionally bought a run in preparation for the 2024-25 Vodacom URC marketing campaign.
Flyhalf Libbok final featured within the inexperienced and gold jumper within the historic July victory in opposition to Portugal in Bloemfontein, whereas Kitshoff has not performed a Take a look at this yr because the veteran loosehead prop continues his comeback from a knee harm.
The Boks face New Zealand at Cape City Stadium in a rematch of the thrilling conflict between the groups in Johannesburg final week, and talking in a WP convention on Tuesday, assistant coach Dawie Snyman confirmed the call-ups of Kitshoff and Libbok to the nationwide staff camp.
“They’re again in camp with the Springboks and busy coaching with them for the time being,” he instructed reporters. “We haven’t heard something from their [Boks] aspect but when somebody will get launched and desires some sport time from the Springboks viewpoint, we’ll enable them to play for us.”
Out of the playoffs race on this yr’s version of rugby’s oldest competitors, WP journey to Kimberley within the ultimate spherical of the common season.
The likes of DHL Stormers powerhouses Joseph Dweba, Ruben van Heerden and new recruit Dave Ewers featured off the bench in Stellenbosch final week.
Suleiman Hartzenberg joined Snyman on press obligation, and the speedster is in line to make his first look of the home marketing campaign within the Metropolis of Diamonds with low season signing JD Schickerling.
“We’re nonetheless utilizing this chance to organize for the URC so there can be a couple of adjustments from the earlier sport,” Snyman mentioned.
“We’ve no new accidents and a lot of the adjustments can be guys in pre-season and about to get their first sport, in order that’s considering behind that.
“[Schickerling] is on the market… he’s been coaching onerous and is wanting good, he’s fitted in properly to the squad. One or two new mixtures we’re going to be testing so it will likely be good to see how they go.”
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One place behind the sixth-placed WP on the standings, Griquas have been considerably of a bogey staff for the Capetonians over the previous few years, particularly at Griqua Park.
Snyman acknowledged the specter of the Northern Cape outfit whereas reiterating director of rugby John Dobson’s plan to rotate the WP lineup this week.
“It will most likely outline their Currie Cup season,” he mentioned. “They’ve bought nothing to lose, it’s a dead-rubber sport however we’re clearly taking a couple of of our high gamers to play in opposition to them.
“They’ll be extremely motivated, not only for them as a union however as people to indicate that they’ll possibly play at the next stage.
“It’s an important problem they usually’ve had an excellent file in opposition to us, so we’re anticipating a troublesome sport and we’d like a troublesome sport.”
Picture: Khulani Media
